Erin’s Things: October 1

You're reading Erin’s Things: October 1, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you're enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

This week for my favorite things, there's a lot of technology, a great new book and a cool home store for those in California! Check out this week's list and leave your comments (and suggestions for other cool stuff) below!

1. ALDEA HOME + BABY – The San Francisco home goods store is cooly curated with different rooms impeccably decorated as if in a showroom. Frequently on every best design list, it boasts some quirky and also very design forward items, from furniture to accessories and even clothes. There’s everything for all budgets, from a gifts under 25$ page online to the higher end items such as the ‘Mirah Geo’ table – my fave.  It’s eclectic yet perfectly streamlined. Loving it right now!

 

2. CHILDREN’S MD – APP - If you’re a parent, or even a grandparent or uncle/aunt that is baby sitting- you will at some point encounter some anxiety over a child that is not feeling well- questions like, how can I treat this fever, what symptoms should I be concerned about? Now there are all sorts of apps that can help you with – this one in particular, ‘Children’s MD’ was developed by Children’s Hospital of Colorado and it is basically like a virtual doctor. It has a comprehensive symptom list as well as suggestions for when is the right time to call on a doctor for help, to over the counter meds/dosages and even finger food ideas! Thank-you pocket Doc.

 

3. HTC VIVE –VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSET – The best VR set in the world is apparently this one. I am no expert but I am certainly interested in the coming VR wave we are about to experience in tech and entertainment.  The controls are intuitive, the resolution is amazing and you have a 1080p screen for each eye- playing games on this would be as realistic as it can get…for now. This is a premium product so its cost reflects this fact. At 600-700$, you are guaranteed the best first generation VR product on the market. Virtual is a reality we can all immerse ourselves into now.

 

4. IT’S MESSY – ON BOYS, BOOBS AND BADASS WOMEN – Amanda de Cadenet has done it again. She’s written another fantastic book, this time a personal collection of essays that facilitates conversations among women that deserve to be had. She gives advice and has quite a few insights gained from experience as a businesswoman, wife, mother and friend. I think it is thought provoking which is the first most important thing I require in a book, the second is generally humor- and this is also apparent in this offering. She has heart. That I admire, along with her feminist message, she helps women around the world determine the strength to find positivity against all odds. Stumped for your next read…look no further!

 

5. Flexible sensor medical device - a gifted materials scientist by the name of Canan Dagdeviren, has been researching and inventing a slew of biomedical devices (the size of a sticker!) designed to convert energy from natural movement of your organs into electricity - an energy harvester that is built on a flexible foundation. It eliminates the need for pacemakers to have their batteries changed. Secret to its success is PZT (lead zirconate titanate) which can generate small electric charges as it flexes. The uses range from the cosmetic advantage of treating dehydrated skin to the huge potential of identifying any illnesses. This is personalized medicine at its most epic! When one can understand what the body is saying by observing an unending stream of data (the variables that fluctuate electronically in the body) then one can figure out how indeed to keep it running!

You've read Erin’s Things: October 1, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you've enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Self Help Gurus etc

Ashley lost 33 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Ashley lost 33 pounds. This mom of five experienced significant weight gain during her last pregnancy. She got tired of the people commenting on how much weight she gained. She found a weight loss program that worked for her and made exercise part of her daily routine. Starting weight: 172 pounds […]

Related posts:

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3. Adepa lost 42 pounds

10 Body Language Tips that Make Your Communication Skills 10x Better

You're reading 10 Body Language Tips that Make Your Communication Skills 10x Better, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you're enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Have you ever noticed the connection between the body language and communication skills? Why do emotional people who are animated attract more people and have fewer communication problems than those who are reserved and unemotional? The following article is going to reveal the secrets of the body language and tell you 10 body language tips that will make your communication skills 10x better.

1. Do Not Cross Your Arms or Legs

To show that you are open to people, you need to open literally and not close with the help of arms and legs. You are thus looking defensive and guarded – who needs that for the effective communication? In fact, the statistics show that you should open both your arms and legs to improve your retention. By crossing your arms and legs subconsciously, you are closing yourself from both the people and upcoming information – try to control this gesture, and you will soon see the positive results. People would be attracted to you, and you would memorize the information better and faster.

2. Keep an Eye Contact

To show you are interested in the conversation, you have to look at your dialogue partner’s eyes. If you are looking sideways, it is obvious that you are not interested and thinking about other things. To demonstrate your involvement in the dialogue, try nodding as well. It is pretty weird and quite difficult to talk to a person whose facial expression is still: you thus do not comprehend whether s/he agrees with you or not. To avoid uncomfortable situations, consider keeping an eye contact (but do not stare!) and nodding – this will create an impression that you are fully involved in the conversation and really enjoy it.

3. Smile with Your Whole Face

People will feel your smile is fake if you are smiling with only your mouth. The sincere smile involves not only the one showing the teeth, but it is also about the whole facial expression you make when you beam: eyebrows, eyelids, and cheeks. Try to control this part of your body language and make no fake smiles. As mentioned earlier, people gather around the beaming person because they feel as if they are wanted to talk to. And they will never barter this feeling away for the person with the peevish facial expression.

4. Do Not Point at People

Every person knows that it is extremely rude to dab with finger at your dialogue partner, however, it does not stop people of still doing it. If you have this habit, you have to control yourself as much as possible because you will push off any adequate dialogue partner. Just put yourself in his/her place and imagine s/he will point at you – how would you feel?

5. Do Not Droop Your Shoulders and Arms

When you droop your shoulders and arms, you are thus making yourself smaller and more unremarkable. People would not notice you unless you set back your shoulders and stick out your chest. Do not pretend you are a superhero, of course, but having a normal pose would do only good for you. Relax and loosen up by shaking your shoulders and the confident posture will appear itself.

6. Do Not Distance from Your Dialogue Partner

Of course, no one says you have to come up really close to your dialogue partner – it will make him/her feel uncomfortable. But keeping a big distance is another extreme that will make your partner feel uneasy as well. The big distance would confuse him/her because s/he would have to speak louder to make sure you can hear him/her. Second of all, the conversation is an intimate process of sharing information that is why the partners do not need to have a huge distance between them.

7. Do Not Turn Your Feet Away

As oddly as it may sound, legs are the most honest part of the body. While you may control your whole body, you are, unfortunately, unable to control where your feet are turned. Standing with your legs apart will add you confidence, and you will thus show you feel comfortable. Of course, it is difficult to control all the time where the feet are turned but knowing about this part of body language will let you notice when you seem defensive.

8. Smile and Laugh

The best way to pull people in by your body language is to smile and laugh sincerely. For one reason or another, people are attracted to those who beam. The contagious laughter is the best way to find yourself in the center of everyone’s attention and become everyone’s favorite. As for smiling, it is a powerful weapon: if a stranger approaches you, and you smile when s/he speaks to you, conceive that you will be friends. There is nothing more pleasant than to speak to a smiling person because when you beam, you warm your dialogue partner up.

9. Do Not Keep Your Head Down

Do not keep your head too high because people will think you are arrogant, but do not keep it too down. This will signify you are shy and reserved and will thus frighten the potential dialogue partner. Keeping your head down creates an impression you are feeling guilty and discourages having a conversation with you because you have no idea how to get the eye contact with you. What you need is keep your head straight in front of your dialogue partner’s eyes: not too high, not too down.

10. Do Not Hold Anything in Front of Your Heart

If you are at a party, try not to hold your drink in front of your chest because you are thus closing yourself from your dialogue partner. In fact, do not hold anything in front of your heart ever: this gesture makes you seem guarded and distant. If you have something in your hands, just keep it near the leg, but do not create a barrier between you and your partner with the help of the drink. This article has covered all the points for improving your skills in spoken language. But don’t forget about your written communication skills, matter too! To learn more about this, check out the brilliant initiative on EduBirdie. This site is built for students, who require help with their endless assignments.

You've read 10 Body Language Tips that Make Your Communication Skills 10x Better, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you've enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Self Help Gurus etc

Cumin: Six health benefits

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Cumin is a spice that comes from the Cuminum cyminum plant. It is native to Asia, Africa, and Europe, but it is widely used in cooking throughout the world. It is the second most popular spice after black pepper.

Cumin is usually purchased in the form of whole dried seeds or as ground powder. It is a typical ingredient in many spice blends, such as curry powder. Cumin is a staple spice in many cuisines, especially Mexican, Indian, African, and Asian.

Aside from cooking, cumin has also been used medicinally in many parts of the world for some years.

In some Southeast Asian countries, it is used to help with digestion, coughs, pain, and liver health. In Iran, people use cumin to treat seizures, while people in Tunisia use it to help fight infections and lower blood pressure.

Interest in cumin has been growing as newer research supports some of its acclaimed health benefits. Read on to learn more about the potential health benefits and risks associated with cumin, as well as how to add cumin to your diet.

Six possible health benefits

1. Weight loss

Recent studies indicate cumin may be effective in lowering cholesterol and in weight loss.

Cumin may be helpful for people trying to lose weight. A study involving overweight adults compared the effects of cumin with a weight-loss medication and a placebo on weight.

After 8 weeks, the researchers found that the cumin and weight-loss medication groups both lost significant amounts of weight. People in the cumin group also experienced a decrease in their insulin levels.

Another study found that overweight and obese women who consumed 3 grams (g) of cumin powder in yogurt daily for 3 months had significant decreases in body weight, waist size, and body fat.

2. Cholesterol

The previously mentioned study in overweight and obese women also found that consuming 3 g of cumin powder per day resulted in lower total cholesterol, LDL or "bad" cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

The women who consumed the cumin powder also had higher HDL or "good" cholesterol levels.

3. Diabetes

A study in adults with type 2 diabetes looked at the effects of cumin essential oil on blood sugar. Study participants received either 100 milligrams (mg) of cumin oil per day, 50 mg of cumin oil per day, or a placebo.

After 8 weeks, both cumin-oil groups had significantly lower blood sugar, insulin, and hemoglobin A1c levels.

The cumin-oil groups also saw improvements in the signs of insulin resistance and inflammation. Other studies in humans have shown mixed results with cumin and blood sugar levels.

4. Irritable bowel syndrome

A small pilot study looked at the effect of consuming cumin essential-oil drops on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

After 4 weeks, study participants noted improvements in many symptoms, such as stomach pain and bloating.

At the end of the study, those with IBS who had mainly experienced constipation as a symptom had more frequent bowel movements. Those who had mainly experienced diarrhea as a symptom had fewer bowel movements.

5. Stress

Cumin may play a role in helping the body handle stress. A study in rats looked at the effect of cumin extract on signs of stress.

When the animals received cumin extract before a stressful activity, their bodies had significantly less of a stress response than when they did not receive the treatment.

Cumin may help fight the effects of stress by working as an antioxidant. The same researchers found that cumin was a more effective antioxidant than vitamin C in the rats they studied.

6. Memory loss

The same study in rats also looked at the impact of cumin extract on memory. The study found that the animals that had received cumin extract had better and faster recall.

Nutrition facts

According to the United States Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database, 1 teaspoon of whole cumin seeds contains:

• 8 kilocalories
• 0.37 g of protein
• 0.47 g of fat
• 0.93 g of carbohydrate

The same amount of cumin seeds also provides 20 mg of calcium, 1.39 mg of iron, and 8 mg of magnesium.

Additionally, cumin contains antioxidants, which may be responsible for some of its associated health benefits.

Possible risks and side effects

Further research is required before cumin can be recommended as a supplement.

Consuming foods that are cooked with cumin is likely safe for most people. Some people may have an allergy to cumin, in which case they should avoid it.

More research is needed before supplemental doses of cumin are recommended. In one study, some people experienced nausea, dizziness, and stomach pain after consuming cumin extract.

As with all supplements, people should tell their healthcare provider what they are taking. Many supplements may impact how certain prescription medications work. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not monitor supplements for quality or purity. Do your research on different brands.

Research in rats found that products from cumin seeds interacted with a medication and increased blood levels of an antibiotic used to treat TB.

People with diabetes, especially those who take medication for diabetes, should use cumin with caution since it may change their blood sugar levels.

Ways to incorporate cumin into your diet

Cumin is a common ingredient in many savory ethnic dishes. It adds a warm flavor and works especially well in soups, stews, and curries.

This spice can also be used to season vegetables or meats before roasting.

See below for links to tasty recipes that contain cumin:

Outlook

Cumin may have the potential for use in addressing a variety of health conditions.

Research has shown that cumin may boost the immune system and help fight certain types of bacterial and fungal infections. Animal studies have also suggested cumin may help prevent some types of cancer.

More research is needed, especially in humans, but cumin seems to have promise in the medical world. The best supplement form and dose is currently unknown.

For now, cumin is likely best enjoyed in food instead of as a supplement.

Layshae lost 52 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Layshae lost 52 pounds. Since she was pursuing a career in the medical field, she wanted a healthier lifestyle. Even though her personal life and career got in the way at times, she never gave up. She restarted her journey this year by going Keto and working out regularly. Check out […]

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Appetite-controlling neurons could help us lose weight

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A group of neurons control our appetite, "telling" our brains to refuse food.

Researchers have found a group of brain cells that control appetite, and activating these neurons can curb the feeling of hunger. Beyond that, the findings could also help to control the so-called obesity epidemic.

Obesity rates are on the rise around the globe, and the United States is home to a veritable obesity epidemic.

But a team of researchers from the University of Warwick in Coventry, United Kingdom, have made a groundbreaking discovery that could transform dieting and weight loss practices.

The scientists - led by Nicholas Dale, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Warwick - found that a group of neurons called tanycytes "communicate" with the brain directly to "tell" it to stop the sensation of hunger.

The first author of the new study is Greta Lazutkaite, and the findings were published in the journal Molecular Metabolism.

Tanycytes are glial neurons in an area of the brain called the hypothalamus, and recent studies have suggested that these cells may control energy levels and body weight. However, this is the first time that scientists show how these cells signal satiety by detecting certain nutrients in food.

More specifically, the authors explain, it was known that tanycytes are able to detect glucose in the cerebrospinal fluid, but the new research shows that essential amino acids can activate these neurons and make us feel less hungry.

How tanycytes control appetite

Prof. Dale and team used calcium imaging to make the neurons fluorescent and track them in vivo. They added several essential and nonessential amino acids to these brain cells.

Tanycytes responded to two essential amino acids - lysine and arginine - within 30 seconds, sending signals to other parts of the hypothalamus that control appetite.

After removing the genes that control the receptors responsible for detecting the umami taste in mice, the researchers found that tanycytes no longer responded to the amino acids.

This led them to believe that amino acids are detected by umami taste receptors, mediating the relationship between the amino acids and the brain cells. In humans, the umami taste refers to the savory taste of glutamate, and in rodents, it characterizes most non-aromatic amino acids.

Prof. Dale comments on the findings, saying, "Amino acid levels in blood and brain following a meal are a very important signal that imparts the sensation of feeling full."

"Finding that tanycytes, located at the center of the brain region that controls body weight, directly sense amino acids has very significant implications for coming up with new ways to help people to control their body weight within healthy bounds."

Prof. Nicholas Dale

Findings help to 'overcome obesity epidemic'

According to the latest estimates, over a third of the U.S. population is obese, and between 15 and 20 percent of children and teenagers are affected.

Worldwide, the situation is not much better: recent studies show that since 1980, mean body mass index (BMI) rates have increased across the globe by 0.4 kilograms per square meter, per decade.

But the new findings by Prof. Dale and team point to a new avenue for tackling the obesity crisis. By changing the content of our diets, we could activate tanycytes quicker, reach the feeling of satiety, and reduce food intake.

Lysine and arginine are found in abundance in meat and poultry but also in mackerel, plums, apricots, avocados, lentils, and almonds. Eating these foods could potentially make us feel full more quickly.

Furthermore, the authors suggest that the hypothalamic brain circuits responsible for appetite control could be changed with dietary interventions.

"Studies have demonstrated," they write, "that tanycytes can generate new neurons [...] meaning that the neuronal networks of the hypothalamus are highly plastic and can be remodeled by diet."

The authors conclude that overall, "A more detailed understanding of how food intake and energy expenditure are determined in the brain may lead to the development of new strategies for overcoming the obesity epidemic and other metabolic disorders."

LIAM 381 – You Always Are

There are 2 very famous quotes that are used to motivate and inspire people to live a “better” life. The first is “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined” by Henry David Thoreau. The second is “Love your neighbor as yourself” by Jesus. The implication in both of these is that you should start doing this. What’s missing is the fact that you always are and always have been doing them. You always are going confidently in the direction of your dreams, living the life you are imagining, and loving your neighbor as yourself. You always are, always have been, and always will. The question to be asked is “what are you dreaming/imagining?” and “what does it mean to love neighbor as myself?” Listen as I explain:

Listen on iTunes or Listen to/download this episode here:

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Mentioned in this show:

• Join the “Climber Community”
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The post LIAM 381 – You Always Are appeared first on Life Is A Marathon : Life Coaching | Spirituality | Personal Development | Positive Thinking | Personal Branding | Faith.

Self Esteem Feeds

Corando lost 25 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Corando lost 25 pounds. Since March, she’s used running, weight lifting and portion control to get awesome results. Check out her story. Starting weight: 170 pounds Current weight: 145 pounds Height 5’2″ I’m 43 years old and I’ve lost 25 pounds total. I started my weight loss journey on March 1, […]

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What’s your exit strategy?

What do you call something that’s collected 635 GB of data, traveled 4.9 billion miles, and taken over 450,000 pictures in the space of 20 years? Productive? Dedicated? Impressive? What about all three? These are just some accomplishments of NASA’s Cassini, an orbiter that’s been exploring space since 1997. After a 7-year journey through space, […]

The post What’s your exit strategy? appeared first on tonyrobbins.com.

Self Help Gurus etc

Cora lost 79 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Cora lost 79 pounds. She was diagnosed with a condition that required brain decompression surgery, follow up surgery and treatment. After this ordeal, this mom found her why and transformed her life with exercise and a Keto lifestyle. Check out what she shared with us about her journey. In the fall of […]

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Savory Oatmeal with Mushrooms, Spinach and Thyme

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This post is sponsored by The Quaker Oats Company, but all opinions are my own.

A common problem Daniel and I struggle with is wasting food. Whether it’s forgetting about leftovers in the fridge or neglecting bananas long enough we should invite our new fruit fly roommates to stay, every trash day we find ourselves throwing away too much food. We always seem to comment on how we need to be better, but by the time the next trash day rolls around we seem to fall back into bad habits. After recently being made aware of the stats on food waste, I am resolved to reducing our waste.

In the United States, an astonishing 130 billion pounds of food are wasted each year (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Not only is good food simply not getting eaten (fruits, vegetables, dairy, and grains), but the production of all this food is wasting energy, land, and freshwater. If we could reduce this food waste by even 15%, we could feed more than 25 million Americans (NRDC).

This fall, I’m partnering with Quaker who is launching More Taste, Less Waste in partnership with James Beard Foundation, which aims to inspire people to re-think the power of the oat to help recover foods that often go to waste while discovering new ways to eat more nutritiously every day. Some examples of top wasted foods include: produce like leafy greens, potatoes, beets, radishes, carrots, citrus peels, fresh beef/poultry/pork, and dairy products.

If you’re wondering, why would oats help recover these foods?—consider how versatile oats are. They’re essentially a nutritious blank canvas. You can go savory or sweet, hot or cold, any time of day. You won’t have to run to the store for special ingredients, just look in your fridge or pantry and you’ll be able to make a great meal or snack using whatever you have on hand. Not only will the versatility and convenience reduce waste, but oats are naturally low in fat and sodium and are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are a great way to reduce waste while maintaining a nutritious diet.

My More Taste, Less Waste-inspired recipe is Savory Oatmeal with Mushrooms, Spinach, and Thyme. It incorporates 3 ingredients that tend to wilt and wither away in my fridge before I’ve had the chance to use them: mushrooms, baby spinach, and fresh herbs. I love this savory departure from my typical oatmeal bowls. Toasting the oats and cooking them in chicken broth—along with sautéed onion, mushrooms, and garlic, and thyme— makes for a wickedly flavorful bowl of oatmeal with creamy, risotto-like texture. I chose to serve my portion with a fried egg on top, but that’s entirely optional. Feel free to play with the recipe and make it your own, by switching up the greens or the herb. Enjoy!

Savory Oatmeal with Mushrooms, Spinach, and Thyme

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ small yellow onion, finely chopped (about ½ cup)
• 1 8-ounce package baby portobello mushrooms, sliced
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 large eggs (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large Dutch oven or a deep sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until just beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the salt and pepper; stir. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Add the oats and stir until toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
2. Add the chicken broth along with 2 cups water and the thyme, and bring the pan to a simmer. Let the oats cook, stirring often, until they have absorbed almost all of the liquid, about 12 minutes. Stir in the spinach, 1 cup at a time, and allow it to wilt into the thickened oatmeal. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve each portion topped with 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese and additional fresh thyme, if desired.
3. Optional, for a heartier meal: Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking oil and set it over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the eggs and cook until the whites are opaque and the yolk is set but still runny (or to your desired doneness), 6 to 8 minutes. Serve 1 fried egg on top of each oatmeal portion.

3.1

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Kimanzi Constable World Wide Speaker, Author, & Lifestyle Business Made Simple & Profitable

The post Kimanzi Constable World Wide Speaker, Author, & Lifestyle Business Made Simple & Profitable appeared first on Operation Self Reset.

Self Confidence Feeds

RECIPE: Cream Cheese Rigatoni

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This pasta dish is not very saucy, but has a good taco flavor with a some creaminess from the cream cheese and a top layer of cheddar. Jerry and my kids are obsessed with this dish! They request it all the time. Click here for a printer-friendly PDF download of the recipe Cream Cheese Rigatoni Ingredients: 16 oz dry rigatoni (or penne or other pasta) 2 tsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 pound lean ground turkey 1 packet of taco seasoning 1 cup water 4 oz cream cheese 6 oz shredded cheddar...

(Click on blog title to read the full post...)

Extra, just like Guac.

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Monslay Shirt

Seriously, I have purple hair and a velvet shirt on, do you think other peoples opinions bother me? Not one bit. 8 years of blogging and having every mean thing imaginable being said about me has toughened me up, not in a bad way, but I'm not sitting at home crying because not every likes me. I see that as maybe one of the best qualities about myself. 

Does it wear on me somedays, you bet. Then I just step back a little bit until I'm feeling more clear headed. It never fails to amaze me that the same childish problems come around AGAIN AND AGAIN when you have a group of women who see each other. 

I'm pretty much the definition of extra. I am loud, I laugh a lot, I cheer loudly - that's just who I am. Always have been. One thing I am not is mean, even when I want to be standoffish to someone I have a hard time because I don't want to hurt their feelings. 

At my last job I learned that not everyone is going to like me - there was a girl there who just downright did. not. like. me. Was it anything I did to her? No. She didn't like how talkative I was with our boss, me being friendly in her eyes was sucking up to him. She took offense to every joke I made, I was pretty upset about it for a while because it seemed unfair, but I can't control if other people like me. I was super nice to her everyday, greeting her and complimenting her outfit or something. I acted like nothing was wrong and went about my business as usual. 

In typical mean girl fashion she did what they all do - she talked bad about me to co-workers to get them on her side. Power in numbers I guess. 

The point of this story is that I stay away from people who gossip about others. I learned to always form my OWN damn opinion about people. There will always be people who don't like you and if they happen to be women you can be certain they are talking about you. Don't let others change you, I will not tone myself down to please anyone else. God and I both know my heart and truth about how I treat others, that's enough for me. 

Just 24 Hours to Go Until Stop Worrying Today Closes

Just a quick heads up today.

There’s only 24 hours left until registration for The Stop Worrying Today Course closes.

Until 1.00 p.m EDT (that’s 17.00 GMT) on Wednesday the 27th of
September you can still join it.

And this is the last time you’ll be able to enroll in the course this year.

So if you are interested in that – and in getting the free bonus course on optimism worth $29 if you join the Standard Edition of the course and 6 additional bonuses plus my Smart Social Skills Course (value $37) if you enroll in the Advanced Edition – then now is the time to take action.

Click here to learn more about Stop Worrying Today and to join it before the doors close

Self Help Gurus etc

What Did Your Mother Teach You About Living Healthily?

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The food landscape is different, and our children have different challenges to face. What did you learn as a kid? What would you change?

The post What Did Your Mother Teach You About Living Healthily? appeared first on A Black Girl's Guide To Weight Loss.

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Eleanor lost 30 pounds

September 26, 2017 by Ajima Jackson Leave a Comment

Transformation of the Day: Eleanor lost 30 pounds. This PhD candidate was in a 5 year cycle of losing the weight and regaining it over and over. In February, she decided it was time to change her habits and her mindset to get results. Check out how she took action.

Starting weight: 181 pounds
Current weight: 151 pounds
Height: 5’3.5″

My name is Eleanor T. Khonje. I’m a 28-year blogger and creator of Unraveling the Mind (@unravelingthemind). I am of Malawian origin and I hail from the great state of Texas. I currently live in Geneva, Switzerland where I am a PhD candidate and a UN development practitioner.

I’ve been on what I call the “Oprah Struggle” basically for the last 5 years. My weight has been consistently up and down, as I gain then lose, and after losing gain again! It’s kind of funny when I think about it because I’ve been on that train each and every year.

In February 2017, at what felt like my highest weight ever, I decided to get my life in control. This time around, I said enough is enough. No more losing weight to be a bridesmaids or to go on vacation. This time, it would be a lifestyle change. I decided to learn how to eat well and what to do to get my body “right” and feel like my very best self.

I was just coming back from vacation mode when I decided to embark on this fitness journey, and changing my eating habits to get results was not easy! 80% percent of the work was focuse on what I put in my body, so I had to make a commitment to eat differently. Thank God, I currently live in Geneva, Switzerland, where eating out is sooooo expensive and portions are so small that it is not worth your money.

I had to really start cooking and cooking carefully. I also started using MyFitness Pal and committed myself to a 1200 calorie diet. I was eating things like oatmeal for breakfast, very light salads for lunch and a super light dinner, usually composed of fish. It was easy for me to keep up with this diet as part of my weekly routine, but boy did I struggle on the weekends. For the first 3 months, this plan  worked perfectly and I lost about half of the pounds I’ve lost. Then, I seriously plateaued for some weeks. When that happened, I knew that I had to shake up my diet again. I introduced the very clean chicken breast and broccoli diet. All my friends knew me for this because that was my daily lunch and dinner meal. My breakfast consisted of mostly plain greek yogurt or boiled eggs and tomatoes. Thanks to broccoli and chicken, I was able to meet my goals and go beyond.

In the beginning, I worked out 6 days a week for about 45 mins each day. Those workouts were mostly on the elliptical, as I could not run to save a living soul. As I began to lose weight, I introduced some jogging and running into my routine. After I lost about 15 lbs in the first 4 months, I worked out 5 days a week but intensified my cardio. After reducing my workouts to 5 days a week, I increased my time to about 1.5-2 hours per session, and was committed to burning about 750-1000+ calories in each work out session. I continue to work out 5 days a week and my workouts now consist mostly of cardio on the STAIR ERGOMETER and treadmill. I’ll be introducing serious weight lifting into my routine soon. I find that the more that I meditated and challenged myself spiritually and mentally, the more I was able to do physically.

It’s been an amazing 6 months of growth, filled with lots of ups and downs. Weight loss is not easy, and demands that you carry a determined and relentless mind. Having lost 30 pounds, not only is my body different, so is my mind. I have adopted the attitude of a fighter in everything I do. Now, I know without a doubt that any kind of success requires consistency.

One thing I’ve learned over the last couple of months is that your body is subject to your mind, which is subject to your spirit. If you feed your spirit the right information, your mind will carry a particular attitude, which will allow you to control your body! It sounds complex, but it’s pretty simple

Once you settle with your mind what you wanna do, just keep pushing until you do it. No excuses. Don’t let your body tell you that it’s enough or that you can’t do it. Excuses are not for those who want to finish and win the race.

HAPPY HAPPY SATURDAY Y’ALL!!!! 😊😊❤️ I COME TODAY with some pretty DOPE news!!!!! A hit a new mile stone a couple of weeks back, but wanted it to stick stick before sharing. 😌😝Y’all ready for this? I AM OFFICIALLY DOWN A WHOPPING 30 LBS!!!!!!! • I CANNOT BELIEVE IT, but boy have I worked hard for it! I mean 1200 calories a day + fasted cardio 5-6 days a week is no joke, it no be small thing. I started in February 2017 at 181-182 lbs and I am now, in September 2017, chilling at a VERY comfortable 151-152 lbs ❤️❤️❤️ That is 7 months of consistent hard work and I have no one to thank BUT GOD!!!!!! I look and FEEL so great 😁 • Getting to this point has required a lot of spiritual work and growth and I am soooooo happy!!!! Prophesy said it was MY YEAR to flourish, so why not let my body conform to the word that was spoken. • Starting next week, I am going to be sharing on my YouTube channel some of what I did in the 7 months to achieve these results. I’ll talk about what motivated me to start this journey, what commitments I had to make, how I had to change my lifestyle and what I am doing now. Make sure you check out the videos and to subscribe to the Unraveling The Mind YouTube Channel. Link in bio. ❤️❤️❤️ Let me go eat some well earned rice and stew 😂😂😂😂 @weightlosstransformations • Unravel Away Artist • #workoutunicorn #womensbest #beforeafter #beforeandafter #beforeandafterweightloss #diet #dietplan #fatloss #fit #fitness #fitspo #obese #obesetobeast #transformation #weightloss #weightlossjourney #weightlossmotivation #weightlosstransformation #transform #healthyfood #transformations #respect #followme #instalikesthat #fitnessgirl #christianblogger #lifestyleblogger #blackblogger #blackgirlswhoblog #youtubeblogger

A post shared by Eleanor T. Khonje, 🇺🇸🇲🇼🇬🇭+🇨🇭 (@unravelingthemind) on Sep 23, 2017 at 12:29pm PDT

Enzyme may prevent rebound after weight loss

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Scientists are looking into the possibility of using one enzyme to halt the overproduction of ghrelin, which "tells" us when to feel hungry. 

New research has investigated ways of preventing the "hunger hormone" ghrelin from driving people who have lost weight into a rebound. An enzyme with a metabolic function was found to reduce ghrelin's influence, which may point to a new way of managing weight gain.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 36.5 percent of adults and around 17 percent of children and adolescents in the United States live with obesity.

The main approach to obesity management and prevention is adopting a more healthful lifestyle, including a more balanced diet and more physical exercise.

However, studies have shown that many individuals who shed weight after dieting have a tendency to rebound and regain the extra kilos that they worked so hard to eliminate.

This, researchers explain, is due to a rise in ghrelin levels. Ghrelin is the so-called hunger hormone, which tells our bodies when to feel hungry and when they have had enough to eat. This increase is due to our bodies' adaptive response to the often drastic dietary changes that lead to weight loss.

Now, researchers from the Mayo Clinic - which is based in Rochester, MN - are aiming to develop a new approach to prevent weight regain in the aftermath of a diet. Dr. William Stephen Brimijoin and his colleagues tested the effects of an enzyme with the potential of blocking or limiting ghrelin production on mice.

The researchers reported their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Enzyme regulates hunger hormone

Dr. Brimijoin and his team used mice in a context simulating the situation of people who have shed excess weight through dieting, but who are then are liable to regain it due to the increase in ghrelin levels.

The scientists wondered whether or not using butyrylcholinesterase might help to regulate the overproduction of ghrelin after weight loss. 

Butyrylcholinesterase is an enzyme naturally produced in the liver that plays a role in eliminating certain poisonous substances from the system, as well as metabolizing certain quantities of drugs such as cocaine.

The encoded enzyme was inserted into a neutralized virus, which was then administered to the mice with the aim of targeting ghrelin production.

It was found that boosting butyrylcholinesterase levels both correlated with a significant drop in the levels of the hunger hormone and moderated its activity. As a result, the animals adopted more balanced eating habits and did not gain any extra weight.

This happened after only one exposure to the enzyme-boosting procedure and had long-term outcomes, allowing the mice to avoid weight gain for the rest of their lives.

'A highly successful strategy'?

Dr. Brimijoin and his colleagues hope that these findings might lead not only to a more effective approach to obesity management, but also to preventive treatments for other metabolic diseases.

These include diabetes, metabolic syndrome (characterized by a combination of risk factors that could lead to coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular problems), and fatty liver disease (characterized by excess fat accumulating in the liver).

The scientists are pleased with the success of their research so far, but they emphasize the need to replicate these results in human participants before confirming the effectiveness of this approach.

"We think this approach - combined reduction of calories and hormone - may be a highly successful strategy for long-term weight control. Given the growing obesity crisis worldwide, we are working hard to validate our findings for medical intervention."

Dr. William Stephen Brimijoin

5 Things To Give Up Right Now If You Want To Be Happy

You're reading 5 Things To Give Up Right Now If You Want To Be Happy, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you're enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

“I just want to be happy” How many times have you heard someone say those words to you? Maybe you’ve said them to yourself a few times too. The truth is: we’re all on this constant search for happiness; however, when we do find it, it’s often short-lived. So why is that something that is so important to us is also so hard to get? The short answer is that when you try to achieve happiness by obtaining it, it’s often temporary. Far too often, we look for quick fixes that provide temporary moments of joy such as a new car, a bigger house, or our much desired promotion. What if I told you that you could gain a more permanent state of happiness by giving things up rather than obtaining them? Giving things up that cause stress, anxiety, feelings of uneasiness and other factors that can contribute to a sense of unhappiness is a key component in creating long term happiness.

Here are five things that you can give up if you want to be happy:

1. Complaining

Complaining can be an easy way to blow off steam; however, too much of it can be damaging to yourself and those around you. Complaining is one of those behaviors that feeds itself. By constantly talking about how bad things are, you reaffirm your negative beliefs. While expressing your concerns once in awhile can be viewed as a healthy and therapeutic outlet, a constant display of your frustrations will only fuel your unhappiness and drive others away.

2. Limiting beliefs

We often assume that happy people never have limiting beliefs - that they’re always happy - and never struggle with their decisions or confidence. The truth is no matter how happy you’re, there will still be moments where you experience thoughts of uncertainty. The difference is that those that experience happiness often handle their limiting beliefs better than others. Bring awareness to your limited beliefs, embrace them, and use them as an opportunity to grow.

3. Dwelling on the Past

When you think about past events, chances are they’re not healthy or positive. Negative thoughts are the quickest way to kill your happiness. Dwelling on the past will keep you focusing on the “what ifs” and “how comes.” Living in the past will not only tamper with your happiness, but also induce feelings of anxiety, depression, and self-doubt. The past, present, and future are all temporary states and should be treated as such. Instead of wondering what could have been, focus on creating the change now.

4. Blaming Others

Unhappy people find no shame in blaming others when something goes wrong. Instead of taking responsibility for their actions, they point the finger in the opposite direction. They find it difficult to believe that the situation they are in is due to their own choices. It’s okay to be wrong. In fact, most people find it admiral when you choose to “fall on your sword.” Being able to accept responsibility for your actions is a clear indication that you’re comfortable with however the outcome turns out, which can also be interpreted as a sign of happiness.

5. Resistance to Change

One of Ben Franklin’s most famous quotes is “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Although true, there is one more certainty in life: that’s change. Change is inevitable and being willing to adapt to change is a critical factor in determining your happiness. People who resist change focus on the problem, not the solution. Instead of embracing change they revolt, which only fuels more negativity - making the situation worse - and making themselves even more unhappy. Life is all about change. The sooner you learn to embrace it, the happier you’ll be.   After overcoming a medical trauma, Gary has been inspiring others to overcome their challenges. For more inspiration and to learn more about his story, visit laughatadversity.com

You've read 5 Things To Give Up Right Now If You Want To Be Happy, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you've enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Self Help Gurus etc

LIAM 380 – Enthusiasm and Purpose

Do you ever have thoughts about being or doing something that get you very excited and you can’t quite explain where those thoughts come from? Do you have them often or have had them for a long time? I bet you do! We all do. Every day, we all have ideas that could change our lives and the lives of others for the better. These ideas don’t come from us, they come from God. The word “enthusiasm” means “God within” and we need to pay close attention to these ideas and feelings. More importantly, we need to act on them. They are our life’s purpose calling to us. Listen as I explain:

Listen on iTunes or Listen to/download this episode here:

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Want to be a patron/supporter of the LIAM podcast? Click here.

Mentioned in this show:

• Join the “Climber Community”
• Get a FREE copy of The Science of Getting Rich
• Join Bruce’s Mastermind Group
• Worry No More! book

Subscription/Social Links:

• Subscribe on iTunes!
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The post LIAM 380 – Enthusiasm and Purpose appeared first on Life Is A Marathon : Life Coaching | Spirituality | Personal Development | Positive Thinking | Personal Branding | Faith.

Self Esteem Feeds

Weekend Warriors

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After our Saturday morning workouts, soccer for her and CF for me, we rinsed off and got dressed. She was so excited for the art party Mimi was having at her house for friends, she picked out this outfit a week in advance. She's pretty obsessed with a cold shoulder and her new booties. I took her to Kohls for some dressier shoes - legit had to shop the women's area. I can't believe she can almost wear the same size as me! My dress is from OMB - my shoes are the wool ones that I'm obsessed with from All Birds.

Oliver and I dropped her off at the party and headed to Trader Joes for our monthly run, but first lunch at Rockfish. They had a new salad with sweet potato, it was good, but not as good as the other one that has spinach and orzo! We've been listening to Podcasts tougher in the car, just finished Serial season 1 {Adnan totally did it!} I've tried to get into S-Town but it's not grabbing my interest, I'm going to give it another episode before I give up. I felt the same was about Shameless on Netflix and now I can't stop watching before bed. 

It's my favorite time of year at TJ's - PUMPKIN SEASON. They have the best selection of all things pumpkin included cookies, cinnamon rolls, 'poptarts', pasta, pasta sauce, macaroons, ice cream, and coffee. Whew. Hard to choose, but some items just would never fit into my macros - like the cinnamon rolls at 51c EACH, y'all know I'd need 2. Also the butternut squash mac and cheese is SOOOOO GOOD. 

I did treat myself to a cookie box, they are good, but not so good I'll eat them all in 2 days. NOW the same can't be said for the stupid bags of Cheeto Puff things that are reduced guilt there, seriously my weakness. I love crunch and chips and cheese. Uhhhhh. 

Sunday we spent working out, food prepping, and cleaning. I'm between cleaning services and I have had to suck it up and do it myself. Well actually I split it with Oliver, had to have a heart to heart with him about how we BOTH have to help. He prefers to do things like dishes and laundry so I do the bathrooms and floors. Madison is old enough to actually be helpful, as long as I let her blare her music through the Alexa. Sure we can listen to Descendants AGAIN if you vacuum the floor.

Antidepressants and weight gain: What's the connection?

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Antidepressants are the third most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States and are taken by 11 percent of Americans aged 12 years and over.

Weight gain is one of the potential side effects of antidepressant use, with some sources estimating that 25 percent of people using antidepressants experience an increase in weight.

Although the reactions to specific antidepressants vary between individuals, some antidepressant medications are more likely to lead to weight gain than others.

This article looks at the connection between weight gain and antidepressant use.

Why do some antidepressants cause weight gain?

Antidepressants may lead to weight gain as a person regains their appetite.

Experts do not fully understand why antidepressants lead to weight gain in some people. One theory is that both metabolism and hunger levels may be affected.

Also, depression itself may cause weight gain in some people and weight loss in others.

Antidepressants interfere with serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates anxiety and mood while also controlling appetite. In particular, these changes may increase cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods, such as bread, pasta, and desserts.

When people are depressed, their appetites are affected. In some people, this may make them hungrier while others lose their appetite. It may be the case that when antidepressants take effect, someone's usual appetite returns and this has an impact on their weight.

It should also be noted that depression can lead to fatigue and inactivity, and a lack of physical activity can cause weight gain.

If a person is experiencing weight gain while taking antidepressants, it may be an indication that the medication is not combatting their depression effectively.

Types of antidepressants that may cause weight gain

The following antidepressant medications may be more likely to lead to weight gain:

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

Weight gain is be a potential side effect of some types of antidepressants.

Also known as cyclic antidepressants, TCAs are some of the earliest forms of antidepressant medications.

They are not as commonly prescribed as more modern forms of antidepressants, as they can cause more side effects, including weight gain. Older research suggests that excessive weight gain caused many users to quit TCA treatment.

However, cyclic antidepressants can be effective, especially for some people who do not respond to other treatments. 

Examples of TCAs are:

• amitriptyline (Elavil)
• amoxapine
• desipramine (Norpramin)
• doxepin (Adapin)
• imipramine (Tofranil-PM)
• nortriptyline (Pamelor)
• protriptyline (Vivactil)
• trimipramine (Surmontil)

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

MAOIs are another early class of antidepressants and have generally been replaced by newer antidepressant drugs. Although effective, they tend to cause weight gain and several other adverse reactions.

In addition, people who take MAOIs may need to restrict their diets, as these drugs can cause elevated blood pressure levels when taken with some foods and medications.

However, MAOIs help relieve depression in some people who do not see improvements with other drugs.

Types of MAOIs that may lead to weight gain include:

• isocarboxazid (Marplan)
• phenelzine (Nardil)
• tranylcypromine (Parnate)

One type of MAOI called selegiline (Emsam), a topical treatment that is applied to the skin as a patch, has been associated with weight loss in some users.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

The most commonly prescribed form of antidepressant medication, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been associated with weight loss in short-term use, but may cause weight gain when used long term. 

Commonly used SSRIs include:

• citalopram (Celexa)
• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva)
• sertraline (Zoloft)

However, weight gain associated with SSRIs depends on the length of time they are taken, as well as the type. For example, paroxetine is the most likely to lead to weight gain, while sertraline is least likely.

According to a 2017 study, SSRIs were associated with weight gain when users engaged in "unhealthy behaviours," such as eating a standard Western diet, lack of exercise, and tobacco use.

Atypical antidepressants

One type of atypical antidepressant called mirtazapine (Remeron) has been linked to both increased appetite and weight gain. It is less likely, however, than TCAs to cause weight gain.

Other types of antidepressants

Not all antidepressants cause weight gain, and some cause less weight gain than other commonly prescribed medications.

Antidepressants associated with lower levels of weight gain include:

• desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
• escitalopram (Cipralex, Lexapro)
• levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
• nefazodone (Serzone)
• venlafaxine (Effexor)
• venlafaxine ER (Effexor XR)
• vilazodone (Viibryd)
• vortioxetine (Trintellix)

If used on a short-term basis of fewer than 6 months, the following SSRIs are unlikely to cause weight gain:

• citalopram (Celexa)
• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• sertraline (Zoloft)

In fact, some drugs used to treat depression have been associated with weight loss, including:

• bupropion (Aplenzin, Forfivo, Wellbutrin)
• duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• selegiline (Emsam)

What to ask a doctor

Seeking the help of a healthcare professional is recommended if depression is suspected.

It is important to seek help for depression, and antidepressants are a highly effective treatment for many people. However, people should discuss the side effects of antidepressant medications with their doctor before beginning treatment so they know what to expect.

People already taking antidepressants should let a doctor know if they experience any adverse reactions, including weight gain.

If a person feels that the benefits of the medication, such as being able to manage the depression, outweigh the side effects, a doctor may advise them to address any weight gain by dietary changes and more physical activity.

Research suggests that exercise can improve mood and reduce depression. Also, it may be helpful to consult a dietician in order to come up with a suitable eating plan that will not adversely affect someone's treatment.

A person may also talk to their doctor about adjusting the dose, or switching to another antidepressant to reduce side effects and manage weight. Sometimes, even switching to another antidepressant within the same class of drugs can reduce symptoms.

It is important not to take any weight loss medications or supplements without consulting a doctor first, as they could interfere with the antidepressants.

Takeaway

While some antidepressants lead to weight gain in some people, they are an effective treatment for many people with depression.

People taking antidepressant medications should speak to their doctor about any side effects they experience, including weight gain. For many people, managing the depression will take priority over losing weight.

For some people, engaging in a healthier lifestyle in conjunction with antidepressant use, or switching to another antidepressant medication, may reverse the weight gain.

A person should always consult a doctor before making changes to medications, diet, and levels of physical activity.

How exercise rejuvenates cells, extending lifespan

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By strengthening our muscles, we improve our lifespan.

New research provides a window into how, on a cellular level, exercise can improve muscle health and, ultimately, exercise capacity, which is "the best predictor of mortality in the general population."

A new study published in the journal Nature Communications describes how exercise helps the body to keep the cells in the muscles healthy and strong.

"Whether muscle is healthy or not really determines whether the entire body is healthy or not," says lead researcher Prof. Zhen Yan, of the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville.

"And exercise capacity, mainly determined by muscle size and function," he adds, "is the best predictor of mortality in the general population."

According to the new study, exercise improves muscle health by renewing its cellular powerhouse: the mitochondria. Mitochondria are crucial to the good functioning of our bodies, as well as to our overall health and longevity.

These tiny parts of the cell turn the food we eat into energy. Mitochondria transform proteins, fats, and sugars into the fuel that the body needs to live.

So, how does exercise affect the mitochondria in the muscles?

Exercise promotes mitophagy in mice

The answer given by the new study is through "mitophagy." Mitophagy describes the process by which damaged or defective mitochondria are selected and removed, usually after a period of stress.

In the case of muscles, mitophagy contributes to keeping skeletal muscle healthy and strong. And to show how exercise induces mitophagy, Prof. Yan and team genetically modified mice to carry a gene that helps to report on the effects of physical activity.

This gene is called pMitoTimer. It makes mitochondria fluorescent, allowing the researchers to study mitophagy in vivo, after the mice engaged in 90 minutes of treadmill running.

Three to 12 hours after the running session, the researchers observed that mitochondria showed signs of stress. After 6 hours, they saw signs of mitophagy.

Prof. Yan explains the effect of exercise on mitochondria through an analogy that includes a vehicle inspection, the purpose of which is to remove defective cars from the streets.

"Aerobic exercise removes damaged mitochondria in skeletal muscle. If you do it repeatedly, you keep removing the damaged ones. You have a better muscle with better mitochondrial quality. We clean up the clunkers, now the city, the cell, is full of healthy, functional cars."

Prof. Zhen Yan

Chemical reaction in mitophagy identified

The researchers also identified the molecular mechanism behind the process. The treadmill workout seemed to activate a kinase called AMPK.

A kinase is an enzyme that modifies other proteins through a process called phosphorylation. In this biochemical process, phosphate groups are added to proteins.

The researchers determined that, in a biochemical chain reaction, AMPK triggers another kinase called Ulk1.

Prof. Yan continues the vehicle inspection analogy, saying, "When [it's] turned on, Ulk1 activates other components in the cell to execute the removal of dysfunctional mitochondria."

"It's analogous to a 911 call where a tow truck removes the clunkers. However," he says, "we still do not know how these activities are coordinated."

To confirm their discovery - that Ulk1 plays a critical role in mitophagy - the team created a mouse model lacking the Ulk1 gene. These mice were also subjected to treadmill exercise, but the ensuing mitophagy was considerably inhibited.

"Mice that were unable to do mitophagy did not have the benefit of exercise," explains study co-author Joshua Drake, a postdoctoral fellow in Prof. Yan's laboratory.

"Even though, from an exercise standpoint, they still were able to run just as far as normal mice, they didn't benefit metabolically with training," he adds.

"These findings provide direct evidence of exercise-induced mitophagy and demonstrate the importance of Ampk-Ulk1 signaling in skeletal muscle," the authors conclude.

Monique lost 41 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Monique lost 41 pounds. She started gaining weight in her 30s. Having decided that she didn’t want to face the unhealthy side effects of carrying a lot of excess weight, she started her transformation in 2014 with help of a great coach. Despite some ups and downs over the years, she […]

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6 Simple Tweaks To Live A Happy Life

You're reading 6 Simple Tweaks To Live A Happy Life, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you're enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

What makes you happy? Have you ever thought of why some people are living a happy life, and why some are not? It really seems like a simple question, yet many people wake and sleep without feeling any sense of happiness in their life. According to a recent research by Harris Poll, only one out of three Americans says they are very happy. While there are many factors that could be responsible for non-happiness, such as our day-to-day activities, relationship, depression etc. Below therefore, are 6 simple tweaks to live a happy life: 1. Finish whatever you start A write-up by Seth Borenstein on a study about  procrastination, he said after 10 years of research on a project that was supposed to take only 5 years, a Canadian industrial psychologist found in a giant study that not only is procrastination on the rise, it makes people poorer, fatter and unhappier. In the same study Still also said, “People who procrastinate tend to be less healthy, less wealthy and less happy.” Achieving a task is a great way to self happiness. Do you have the habit of starting projects and not  finishing them? If so, it'll  be very difficult to feel the vibes of achievement. You know how it feels after completing a task or archiving a goal, you feel great and happy. A simple way to live a happy life is to finish whatever you start. 2. Exercise Another simple but effective way to stay happy is by regular exercise.  Research  shows that, physical activities can boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy; as well as reduce depression and stress. The impact of exercise cannot be underrated and many successful individuals like J.K Rowling, Oprah Winfrey, Nicholas Dutko; of Auto Transport Quote Services,  Benjamin Franklin, Bill Gates, amongst others, often cite regular exercise as one of the top secrets to their happy living. Although daily exercise might seem stressful but if you can put it into regular practice, it’s one of the effective way to stay happy. It helps shapen the mind, body and soul -- while we remain strong to carry out our daily activities. 3. Stay in good health One of the effective ways to live a happy life is to be in good health, it is often said, “healthy people are happy people.” I tend to agree to this fact because happiness is one of the rules guiding good health, happy people live long while unhappy people have short life to live. Depression and sadness affect the body system from performing at its best, which often lead to health issues. However, it is advisable to stay in good health to enjoy a happy life.   4. Spend time with your family Spending quality time with our loved ones; especially family, brings another feel of happiness.  We tend to feel loved and pleasant while with the kids, wife or relatives. For example, work has deprived many of spending time with family. They go out very early in the morning and come back late at night. No time to gist and have fun with wife and children, always busy with work and appointments. This can seriously lead to an unhappy lifestyle. Schedule a time to stay with your family, it’s one of the ways to live a happy life. 5. Positive thinking Feeding yourself with negative thought is a simple way to sad living. Negative thinking brings fear and doubt, while fear brings sadness. We are a product of our thoughts, so think positive. Positive thinkers are happy people. 6. Forgiveness Forgiveness is yet another way to derive everlasting happiness.  Anytime you forgive someone, your mind is clear, you put on  smiling face and you’re happy around every body. Happy people never keeps grudges because they know it will keep on hurting them than expected. They find it easy to forgive and forget about wrong things people do towards them -- which gives them the vibes to focus on something new.  

You've read 6 Simple Tweaks To Live A Happy Life, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you've enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Self Help Gurus etc

The Stop Worrying Today Course is Now Open to Join (but Closes on Wednesday)

Fall is here. The days are becoming darker and colder again.

It’s, in my experience, easier to become vulnerable to worry and negativity during these months compared to the warm and sunny days of summer.

And so I have opened up the doors again for enrollment into the 7-week Stop Worrying Today Course.

If you join during this period you also get free life-time access to all the material in my The Invincible Summer – an 8-Week Course in Optimism as a special bonus.

The registration to join this course will only be open for 3 days this time, until 1.00 p.m EDT (that’s 17.00 GMT) on Wednesday the 27th of September. 

And this is the last time you’ll be able to enroll in the course in 2017.

Click here to learn more and to join the course

I started working on this course two years ago but it all started 10 years ago when I made a decision to not let this toxic habit limit and control my life.

And this course is filled with all the best things I’ve learned about that in the past decade.

These are the strategies, exercises and simple step-by-step methods that have helped me to stop worrying so much.

The habits that have been a true life-changer for me.

How would your life change if you stopped worrying so much?

Each week of the course you’ll get a written guide, a worksheet to help you gain better understanding of your own situation and results as you go through the course and an audio version of that week’s guide that you can listen to anywhere when you need a boost.

At the end of the weekly guide you’ll get just a few specific action-steps to take that week to minimize the risk of you feeling overwhelmed and getting lost in worry again.

Because I want as many as possible to not only to read the information. But also to take small steps forward each week to make a real and lasting change in their lives.

In this course you’ll for example learn how to:

• Understand the 5 basic reasons for worrying. So you can understand yourself better and where you need put your attention.
• Use the same small, 3-step method I use to put a stop to a worry in about 2 minutes so that I can relax and fully put my focus and energy into what I want.
• Start your day with a morning routine that only takes a few minutes and will get you off to a day of less worries popping up in the first place.
• Work through and overcome persistent worries by using a step-by-step exercise that will help you to finally see the situation and what you can do about it with clear eyes.
• Stop getting lost in worries, fear and in limiting yourself so much. And start living a lighter, happier and less anxious life where you go after – and stay on course towards – what you deep down want in your life.

And a whole lot more.

The window to join The Stop Worrying Today Course closes at 1.00 p.m EDT (that’s 17.00 GMT) on Wednesday the 27th of September.

Click here to learn more about The Stop Worrying Today Course and to join it

 

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Twanja lost more than 40 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Twanja lost more than 40 pounds. She let go of her excuses and began sowing her energy into herself the way she’s sown into others to lift them up. Clean eating, portion control and working out at home was important, but focusing on her WHY was key to her staying motivated. […]

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Family Friday (Belated): Jerry's big birthday surprise!

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On Thursday, as I sat down to write my Thrifty Thursday post, I ended up having to go to the E.R. because Jerry was sent there from work. We were there until about midnight, so I didn't end up writing the post. (Everything was okay, and Jerry is fine.) Yesterday, Jerry and I went to a wedding. One of his co-workers got married, and I actually didn't know a single soul at the wedding. I was a little nervous about going and not knowing anybody, but I ended up having so much fun! I even danced,...

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Nene lost more than 190 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Nene lost 190+ pounds. She was fed up with starting over and over again and not being consistent. To get results, she committed to working out regularly and adopted a low carb, Keto lifestyle. Check out her journey. I weighed 398 pounds and my height is barley 5’4″. I was just […]

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How To Make A Great First Impression

You're reading How To Make A Great First Impression, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you're enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

First impressions are very important in forming a strong relationship with the different people we meet and interact with in our lives. Though it happens for a very short time, the first impression can last for a very long time, for better or worse. People make judgments about the people they meet based on their appearance and presentation and once the impression is created, it hardly changes. Simply put, a great or good impression will give you a strong kick off in any situation in life; from interviews to the workplace.  It is never a bad think to stand out from the crowd!

Tips on How To Make A Great First Impression

Prepare talking points

Before you go for a meeting with a new person or company, it is advisable to do some background research. Brace yourself with particulars about that individual, the things he loves and what he might be expecting from you. These preparations will help you to convince the other person that are informed about the problem he is trying to solve and that your skills come in handy. Come up with a number of issues that you feel raising them up during your discussion will exhibit your expertise, strategic planning skills, and a deep understanding of the subject.

Dress for the occasion

To create the right first impression, you should appear for the meeting or interview in the right attire and properly groomed. For a lasting good impression, your appearance should be based on an analysis of expectations. Research the company, its culture and the attire worn by its employees. This will guide you unto choosing the most appropriate dress for the meeting. Dressing to match a corporate culture will establish a common ground for the rest of the meeting. Also, the attire you choose will define the level of professionalism, seriousness and potential impact you will have on the company. Ensure that your grooming, your hair style, and general personal appearance depicts a powerful, influential and a productive person. Above all, dress to show your respect of those you are meeting.

Be aware of your body language

Creating a positive impression during the first meeting entails demonstrating confidence through your body language. Though many people might be nervous when meeting a new person such as an employer, you should not show any signs of anxiety. Express comfort and confidence in your body language by walking with the chest held high, taking long strides and sitting up straight during the meeting. If you find assuming these poses challenging, you can adopt simple postures that will boost your confidence. When attending high-stakes meetings, you should prepare by videotaping yourself in advance to have an idea of how you will appear to the other party. Observing yourself ahead of time is the best way of knowing your shortcomings and finding better ways to present yourself.

Engage and be engaging

To make a good first impression, it is advisable to engage the other party in the conversation. Try to draw the other person into the conversation and listen attentively to his views. Given that people love to speak about themselves, you should ask thoughtful and open-ended questions that will make them feel at ease to share their reasoning with you. Engaging the other party in the conversation makes them feel good about themselves and their ideas appreciated. This environment helps them to develop a positive impression of you.

Maintain a direct and warm eye contact

A key point to creating a great first impression is making the other party see you as a trustworthy person. This will come firstly from your eye contact. Eye contact is probably the most valuable component of a good communication. Eyes tell a lot about one's feelings, attitude and thoughts. Eye contact can easily reveal your interests, level of self-confidence, and involvement in a conversation. From one's eye contact, you can gauge the likelihood of the information being true or false, how likable or not likable the other person is and a lot more. Maintain a direct and warm eye contact that appears natural but not too intense to make the other person uncomfortable.

Follow-up

After the first meeting, you should follow-up with the other person to ensure that the good impression you created is cemented. Send him a note highlighting what you learned and how it is of great help to you. Also, try to connect with the person on social media platforms and show interest in his work or blogs. It creates an impression of helpfulness that helps to create a positive second impression.

You've read How To Make A Great First Impression, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you've enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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